Good progress against sustainability targets, including eliminating coal at nine breweries

The Carlsberg Group’s 2017 Sustainability Report shows good progress of the Group's new sustainability programme, Together Towards ZERO. Headline results include a 16% reduction in carbon emissions and a 6% reduction in water use since 2015, as well as the elimination of coal as a source of energy at nine breweries in China.

Launched in June 2017, Together Towards ZERO calls for strong action in the face of complex sustainability challenges such as climate change, access to water resources and public health concerns. It consists of four major ambitions – ZERO carbon footprint, ZERO water waste, ZERO irresponsible drinking and a ZERO accidents culture – each with individual targets for 2022 and 2030 respectively.

Together Towards ZERO was developed in partnership with leading global experts, using a science-based approach. It is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and with the Paris Agreement’s more ambitious goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This year’s report provides full details on the progress the Group has made over the last year, and against its 2015 baseline.

To help accelerate progress towards a more sustainable future and deliver on its new targets, the Carlsberg Group recently announced the formation of the Carlsberg Young Scientists Community, tasked with helping deliver innovative new solutions to address climate change and water scarcity. The community will work in partnership with scientists, universities and the Carlsberg Research Laboratory.

Cees 't Hart, CEO of the Carlsberg Group:

“2017 was an important year for the Carlsberg Group with the launch of our new sustainability programme and our most ambitious targets to date. I'm personally very proud of the steps we're taking to address some of the challenges related to climate change and water scarcity. And in the process, we're increasing our efficiency and building resilience in our supply chain.

“We're building on our founders’ vision to continuously improve and contribute to society, and I'm confident that our latest initiative, the Carlsberg Young Scientists Community, will deliver real benefits for us and for society in the years to come.”

ZERO carbon footprint

The Carlsberg Group’s overall ZERO carbon footprint ambition is already delivering tangible results. ln 2017, the Group stopped using coal at nine breweries as part of its goal to completely eliminate the use of coal as fuel by 2022. Another very concrete step on the journey towards zero carbon emissions was the conversion ofCarlsberg Sverige’s brewery in Falkenberg to 100% biogas and green electricity, making it the Group’s first carbon-neutral brewery.

The Carlsberg Group reduced its global brewery carbon emissions by 16% compared with its 2015 baseline year, and 46% of the Group’s electricity now comes from renewable sources. In addition, the Group accelerated its transition to low-climate-impact cooling by cooperating with selected draught equipment and cooler suppliers, and by engaging with consumers at the"most climate-friendly bar in the world. Probably".

ZERO water waste

The Carlsberg Group also took concrete steps towards its ambition to eliminate water waste and halve water usage at its breweries by 2030. The combined efforts of all the Group’s breweries have so far resulted in a 6% reduction in water use since 2015, taking these to an industry-leading average of 3.1 hl/hl water.

With Together Towards ZERO, the Carlsberg Group is aiming for a step change in improvements in water use inside its breweries, while also seeking to make an impact outside its breweries by protecting shared water resources.

ZERO irresponsible drinking

On its journey towards the ambition of ZERO irresponsible drinking, the Carlsberg Group is empowering consumers to make more informed and responsible choices. The efforts are focused on offering consumers more detailed product information, providing alcohol-free options and promoting responsible drinking behaviour.

The Carlsberg Group’s combined responsible drinking initiatives in 2017 reached over 70 million consumers globally, and the Group is now expanding its commitment to install alcolocks in all its own delivery trucks globally to underline the commitment to responsible conduct and signal zero tolerance for drink driving.

ZERO accidents culture

The Carlsberg Group’s ambition to strive for a ZERO accidents culture is measured against a reduction in the number of accidents year on year up to 2030. In 2017, significant steps were taken to increase awareness and implement safety measures across the Group’s global operations. Accident rates were down across all functions, with lost-time accidents down by 42% compared with 2016.

It is worth mentioning that, Carlsberg Azerbaijan being a part of Carlsberg Group has sucessfully implemented number of sustainable development projects, including ones on Responsible drinking ambition and is working on increasing effectiveness of production, water reuse and sosial events.

Thus, in 2017, electricity consumption was reduced by 11.9%, gas consumption by 17.8%, and water consumption by 20.4% compared to the same indicators for 2016.

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